Off the Beaten Path: As bookstores fade, library opens in mall

TOWN OF NEWBURGH — A stroll in the Newburgh Mall reveals what may appear to be a bookstore. But no, it's a library tucked between clothing and card shops.

James Walsh

TOWN OF NEWBURGH — A stroll in the Newburgh Mall reveals what may appear to be a bookstore. But no, it's a library tucked between clothing and card shops.

It's the Newburgh Free Library's town branch, an option for town and other area residents instead of driving into the City of Newburgh.

The mall's management approached the library staff with the idea last spring after the space, last leased to the Arku Christian Book Store, was vacated.

"We were looking to fill the niche," mall marketing manager Katie Levato said of a reading place, at a time when more bookstores were closing than opening. "We figured the library would be a good fit for us, and they wanted to bring library services to the Town of Newburgh. It brings traffic to the mall, and gives them more exposure, too."

The idea isn't a new one.

There are dozens of libraries in malls around the country, but the Newburgh Free Library is a pioneer in the Hudson Valley.

Library director Muriel Verdibello said establishing a satellite branch in the town had long been considered. Cost and finding a suitable location, though, were issues to consider.

The mall's offer of six months free rent, coupled with space needing minimal investment, was hard to resist.

"Because it was a bookstore before, we didn't have to buy shelving," Verdibello said. "That was a huge plus for us."

The branch opened in May, specializing in new fiction and nonfiction books for children, teens and adults.

About $40,000 was invested in books, and $1,000 in the storefront.

Activities have ranged from story hours for kids to book discussions. There's Wi-Fi access, and a children's area is designated by reading benches and tables donated by The Friends of the Newburgh Free Library.

There are other tables and chairs where patrons can sit and thumb through a new novel or read the newspapers and magazines stocked in racks near the front door.

The Newburgh Free Library has 29,000 cardholders, out of a population of about 65,000 residents. As many as 10 new cardholders registered daily at the mall branch within the first few months of its July opening.

"We see all ages," Verdibello said. "We see older folks during the day, as well as families with small children. We see families with older children later in the day."

That contrasts with the library's main branch on Grand Street near the waterfront. More children walk to that branch alone or with friends.

Among the mall branch's regular patrons is Frank Fisher, a retired retail worker from Walden. He learned about it at the Josephine Louise Public Library in Walden.

"So we started coming here," Fisher said. "It only takes eight minutes and you don't have to go all the way downtown."

Fisher, an avid reader of British detective novels, said the branch's resources suit him.

"I'm in this area a lot during the day," he said, "and the people here are just like the people downtown — they're extremely nice."

Brianne Olsen of the Town of Newburgh was looking for a children's book with her 6-month-old daughter, Anya.

"We're looking for a book about dachshunds," Olsen said. "Her grandparents have two and I want her to look at them before she sees the real thing."

Convenience is what the branch means to Olsen.

"The selection isn't huge, but they're working on it," Olsen said. "And you can get anything from any branch around here, so you don't feel limited in your selection." Resources also include the holdings of all 47 libraries in the Ramapo-Catskill Library System that serves Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster counties.

Verdibello said the library has conducted several surveys at the mall branch. "Mostly, we're seeing Town of Newburgh residents, and the number one thing they want is more books," she said. DVDs and public computers are also in demand.